The Jim Kweskin Jug Band was the original "Americana" band. They played everything from classic blues to hillbilly country, ragtime, jazz, and rock 'n' roll. They perfectly captured the 1960's mix of exuberant anarchy and heartfelt sincerity. Kweskin also created one of the bedrock guitar styles of the folk revival, adapting the ragtime-blues fingerpicking of artists like Mississippi John Hurt and Blind Boy Fuller to the more complex chords of pop and jazz.

Rock critic Ed Ward once listed the most important bands of the early 1960s as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Byrds, and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, adding: "I'm not kidding." No one who knows the Jug Band would have thought he was. Although their run was a brief five years, Kweskin and gang cast a big shadow over other folk groups that formed around that time from the Grateful Dead to the Lovin' Spoonful.

Jim Kweskin has maintained a remarkably consistent musical vision since his jug band days, continuing to explore traditional folk and blues with the sophisticated sensibility of a jazz musician and jazz with the communal simplicity of a folk artist. www.jimkweskin.com

Iain Matthews Iain Matthews is a founding member of the British folk rock band, Fairport Convention (widely regarded as the most important group in the English folkrock movement). In 1969 he formed his own band, Matthews Southern Comfort (with Richard Thompson who also was in Fairport Convention). Matthews has also been a member of the quartet Plainsong.

A solo artist since 1970, Iain has released more than two dozen albums, including 1978's Stealin’ Home, which yielded the Top 15 U.S. single "Shake It."

Iain lives in Holland these days and is making this very rare U.S. West Coast appearance in support of his brand new album, A Baker's Dozen (Perfect Pitch, 2017). It's been just three years since Iain's last appearance here at Russ & Julie’s House Concerts, but he is back by popular demand! This time, Iain will be accompanied by local favorite Steve Postell on guitar. www.iainmatthews.nl

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

Some of our House Concerts fill up a couple of weeks in advance, so please RSVP early. All our House Concerts begin at 8:00 P.M. unless otherwise noted. A voluntary suggested donation of $20 per person to the musicians is requested. Remember, 100% of all contributions go directly to the performers!

Please note: "Russ & Julie's House Concerts" is simply the name we choose to describe our private parties, in our private home. These parties are NOT a business nor are they a business related activity. They are strictly a hobby for us, and are simply gatherings of our friends and guests to enjoy live acoustic music, fellowship, food (a potluck dessert buffet) and fun. Our concert parties are officially free (or else it might be considered a business), although voluntary contributions (suggested donation of $20 per person) are accepted at the party on behalf of the artists. 100% of all contributions go directly to the performers. By invitation only.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

Some of our House Concerts fill up a couple of weeks in advance, so please R.S.V.P. early.

All of our House Concerts begin at 8:00 P.M. and are held on Saturday evenings, unless otherwise noted. They generally end around 10:30 P.M.

A voluntary suggested donation of $20 per person to the musicians is requested. This is payable IN CASH at the door.

Remember, 100% of all contributions go directly to the performers!

Most of the musicians we host have CDs available for sale during the break and after the House Concert.